Combatting Foreign Surveillance Spyware Sanctions Act

12/15/2023, 4:02 PM

Combatting Foreign Surveillance Spyware Sanctions Act

This bill authorizes the President to impose property- and visa-blocking sanctions on (1) foreign companies that develop, maintain, own, sell, lease, license, or otherwise make available spyware that allows for the targeting of U.S. government officials or personnel of the intelligence community; (2) foreign persons who sell such foreign spyware; and (3) foreign government officials (or those acting on their behalf) who use such foreign spyware.

The Combatting Foreign Surveillance Spyware Sanctions Act, also known as Bill 118 hr 5522, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress aimed at addressing the issue of foreign surveillance spyware. The bill seeks to impose sanctions on individuals and entities involved in the development, sale, or use of spyware for the purpose of conducting surveillance on individuals or entities in the United States.

The bill outlines specific criteria for determining which individuals and entities would be subject to sanctions, including those who have knowingly engaged in the development or sale of spyware for surveillance purposes, as well as those who have used spyware to target US persons or entities. Sanctions could include asset freezes, travel bans, and restrictions on financial transactions.

The legislation also calls for the establishment of a list of individuals and entities involved in foreign surveillance spyware activities, which would be maintained by the Department of State. This list would be updated regularly and made available to the public. Overall, the Combatting Foreign Surveillance Spyware Sanctions Act aims to deter foreign actors from engaging in surveillance activities against US persons and entities, and to hold those responsible accountable for their actions. The bill has garnered bipartisan support in Congress and is currently being considered for passage.
Congress
118
Number
HR - 5522
Introduced on
2023-09-18
# Amendments
0
Sponsors
+5

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
House to Vote
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

Combatting Foreign Surveillance Spyware Sanctions Act

This bill authorizes the President to impose property- and visa-blocking sanctions on (1) foreign companies that develop, maintain, own, sell, lease, license, or otherwise make available spyware that allows for the targeting of U.S. government officials or personnel of the intelligence community; (2) foreign persons who sell such foreign spyware; and (3) foreign government officials (or those acting on their behalf) who use such foreign spyware.

The Combatting Foreign Surveillance Spyware Sanctions Act, also known as Bill 118 hr 5522, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress aimed at addressing the issue of foreign surveillance spyware. The bill seeks to impose sanctions on individuals and entities involved in the development, sale, or use of spyware for the purpose of conducting surveillance on individuals or entities in the United States.

The bill outlines specific criteria for determining which individuals and entities would be subject to sanctions, including those who have knowingly engaged in the development or sale of spyware for surveillance purposes, as well as those who have used spyware to target US persons or entities. Sanctions could include asset freezes, travel bans, and restrictions on financial transactions.

The legislation also calls for the establishment of a list of individuals and entities involved in foreign surveillance spyware activities, which would be maintained by the Department of State. This list would be updated regularly and made available to the public. Overall, the Combatting Foreign Surveillance Spyware Sanctions Act aims to deter foreign actors from engaging in surveillance activities against US persons and entities, and to hold those responsible accountable for their actions. The bill has garnered bipartisan support in Congress and is currently being considered for passage.
Policy Areas
International Affairs

Comments

Recent Activity

Latest Summary11/25/2024

Combatting Foreign Surveillance Spyware Sanctions Act

This bill authorizes the President to impose property- and visa-blocking sanctions on (1) foreign companies that develop, maintain, own, sell, lease, license, or otherwis...

Latest Action9/18/2023
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the commi...